Author: Akanksha Upadhyay

Sugar for ethanol to continue, no retail price hike despite costlier edible oil imports: Food Secretary

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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With India planning to achieve 20% ethanol blending in fuel, Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra has told CNBC TV18 that sugarcane will continue to be diverted for ethanol. He said that closer to the 20% target, 50% of ethanol will be derived from sugarcane and another 50% will be derived from maize and damaged foodgrains.

With a 5.5% year-on-year inflation noted in sugar, he stated that there are no supply side shocks and sugarcane farmers are also getting their dues on time. He termed the diversion of eight LMT more sugarcane for ethanol as good news for the industry, up from 17 LMT earlier.

Assuring no supply-side hurdle for imported edible oil despite a rise in global prices, he described the rise as “temporary” in view of labour shortages in Malaysia and Indonesia and the Muslim holy month of Ramzan.

While he attributed the rise in freight prices of sunflower oil imported from Europe to the Red Sea conflict which prompted shipments to come across the Cape of Good Hope in Africa, Chopra said that the industry absorbed the rise in cost and no impact was seen on retail prices.

In a move which will insulate India from price shocks in these commodities, he said that the Agriculture Ministry is already working on a plan to make India self-sufficient in pulses & oilseeds in the next few years.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Elon Musk says users may have to pay for liking, saving and replying to posts on X

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Elon Musk may charg e new users on X, formerly known as Twitter, a nominal fee for liking, posting, replying, and even bookmarking tweets. This development was first brought to light by the X Daily News account, which noticed alterations in the platform’s text indicating the introduction of a yearly charge for new users.

This payment policy was initially implemented in New Zealand and the Philippines, reportedly aimed at reducing spam bots and enhancing user experience. Musk defended this move, citing the necessity to combat the influx of spam bots, which can easily bypass current AI-based checks. He also highlighted how fake accounts occupy valuable usernames, limiting options for genuine users.

However, Musk didn’t delve into specifics regarding how Twitter plans to implement this change effectively to deter spam and fake accounts. Critics argue that spammers may just pay the fee or create multiple accounts, undermining the intended purpose. Additionally, the prospect of a paywall might deter potential users who prefer free alternatives.

The anticipated cost for this service is around $1, given its equivalent of $1.75 in New Zealand currency.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Indian mission in Israel issues advisory amid ongoing Iran-Israel tensions

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Indian mission in Israel issued a new “important advisory” on Sunday following attacks on Israel by Iran and its proxies, urging Indian nationals to remain calm and adhere to safety protocols. Iran retaliated with 330 missiles and drones after an alleged attack by Israel on an Iranian diplomatic site in Damascus, resulting in casualties, including two commanders.

The advisory, posted on social media, stressed the need for Indian nationals to follow safety guidelines issued by local authorities and register with the embassy. The mission assured close monitoring of the situation, liaising with Israeli authorities and Indian community members for the safety of all nationals.

Friday’s advisory had already cautioned against unnecessary travel and advised maintaining calm amidst mounting tensions. Despite the attacks, no evacuation measures have been taken yet by any country, including the US, which issued advisories.

While educational institutions have suspended activities until Monday, most government offices and businesses operate normally under Home Front guidelines. Israel’s Defence Forces intercepted 99% of the projectiles, but the threat persists, according to IDF.

Iran warned of larger retaliation if Israel responds, threatening US bases in support of Israeli military action. The US, France, Britain, and Jordan assisted in intercepting Iran’s attacks. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed gratitude, asserting collective defence.

Hamas called the Iranian attack a “natural right”. Iranian threat had led to worldwide diplomatic initiatives to thwart a possible further conflagration in the region already struggling with Israel’s offensive in Gaza following a terror attack carried out by Hamas in its territory on October 7 and also regular exchange of fire between the Jewish state and Lebanese Shia faction Hezbollah, which joined the war in solidarity with Hamas.

Iranian proxies, including the Houthis in Yemen, have targeted Israel and its allies, disrupting global trade routes. Analysts speculate US reluctance to support Israeli retaliation amid election preparations, fearing oil market volatility impacting President Biden’s re-election prospects.

With inputs from PTI

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

BJP’s Sankalp to take India into top three global economies in next 5 years

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The BJP’s election manifesto has reiterated the party’s commitment to make India the third largest economy in the next fiveyears. To achieve this goal, the manifesto lists series of commitments in the manufacturing and infrastructure space , giving a a sense of continuity to the economy.

Low inflation, high growth & fiscal prudence will continue to guide the economic trajectory while efforts to build India as a “trusted global manufacturing hub”, especially in the electronics, defence, mobile, automobiles sectors will continue.

Manufacturing hub

The manifesto speaks about India becoming a “product nation’ by building on engineering and design services.

The manifesto also talks about developing robust industrial infrastructure based on the principles of PM-Gatishakti, and encouraging core industries of steel, cement, metals, and engineering goods to adopt a greener manufacturing process.

The manifesto reiterates building a globally competitive food processing industry covering the entire food supply chain, from farm to table. “We will position Bharat as a major player in value chains of processed fruits, vegetables, fish, seafood and dairy, among others”, the manifesto says.

Among the key commitments the manifesto highlights, making India a global electronics manufacturing hub by 2030, positioning India as a global railways manufacturing hub, a major player in semi con and chip manufacturing, a global leader in auto and EV manufacturing, a global leader in textile manufacturing , strengthening India’s position as Pharmacy of the World & making India an aviation manufacturing hub globally and making India the largest producer of lab grown diamonds.

For achieving this the manifesto also proposes revamping the commercial and tax legislations. The manifesto says, “We have substantially simplified the indirect and direct tax systems ….We are now committed to launch an exercise to completely revamp our economic and commercial legislations to suit our economic needs”.

Infrastructure

The infra space talks about continuing to add 5000+ of new railway tracks every year, substantially increasing passenger carrying capacity so that by 2030 there are no waiting lists, expanding Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat and Namo Bharat trains, new sleeper Vande Bharat trains, expanding the redevelopment of railway stations to all major and medium sized stations, expanding the metro network to more cities network and 1 more bullet train each for south, north and east India . The manifesto says, “We are constructing the first Bullet Train corridor in the country. Using the experience gained so far, we will initiate feasibility studies for Bullet Train Corridors in North, South and East India”.

Similarly, increase the fleet of EVs and charging stations, expand PM Gram Sadak Yojana, constructing ring roads around major cities., expanding the number of international airports, and formulating a master plan for airport transformation to position India as the leading aviation ecosystem in South Asia are some of the key highlights for the roads and aviation sector.

For digital infrastructure, the BharatNet programme will be expanded to every village with broadband for high speed internet access and next generation ‘Land Record Digitization’ will be undertaken.

Under energy security the manifesto commits to reducing petroleum imports through a mix of electric mobility, network of charging stations, renewable energy production by 2047; increasing ethanol blending in petrol ; targeting 500 GW of renewable energy through the establishment of mega solar parks, wind parks and the Green Energy Corridor project ; incentivising private sector investment in large-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS); increasing green hydrogen production capacity and positioning India as the global manufacturing hub in renewable energy.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

BJP aims to transform India’s aviation sector, make it an international hub for South Asia

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is aiming for a third term in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, on Sunday released its poll manifesto – the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Patra, aimed at transforming the nation in the coming five years.

With a focus on development across sectors, the BJP eyes further progress, particularly in aviation. In the past 10 years, PM Narendra Modi and Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia have talked about how the BJP government has provided a fillip to India’s aviation sector.

Scindia at various events highlighted that in the last decade, the number of airports and aerodromes has surged by approximately 70, totalling 140. However, in its 2024 manifesto, the BJP envisions greater strides, emphasising development, modernisation, and transformation as the pillars for growth over the next five years.

BJP in its manifesto has aimed to make India an international aviation hub for South Asia. The BJP has identified four key moves to transform the sector if voted back to power for the third time.

Developing Airports for Seamless Connectivity – Enhance air connectivity multifold by developing and operationalising new airports, helipads and aerodromes.

Ensuring the Modernisation of Airports – Transform airports into multi-modal hubs with integrated transit facilities such as buses, metro and rapid rail among others by effective use of PM Gatishakti National Master Plan.

Expansion of International Airports – In line with our vision for enhanced connectivity and economic growth, we will expand the number of international airports.

Formulating a Master Plan for Airport Transformation – We will introduce the Amrit Kaal Civil Aviation Master Plan to transform our airports into regional international hubs, providing single-point connectivity to designated regions worldwide, with the vision to position Bharat as the leading aviation ecosystem of South Asia.

With initiatives like the UDAN scheme or Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik Scheme, which is in its 5.2 avatar, promoting regional air connectivity and investments in Greenfield Airports, BJP remains dedicated to aviation expansion. Projects like the MOPA Airport in Goa, Noida International Airport, and Navi Mumbai Airport are underway, providing increased options for travellers in major cities.

PM Narendra Modi, BJP President JP Nadda, and Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman, and S Jaishankar, were present at the manifesto launch at BJP’s headquarters in Delhi.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Bottomline: Why you should invest in gold

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Gold does glitter. And returns from the yellow metal historically haven’t been the kind to scoff at. So, while equities and debt are good assets to consider while building a portfolio, gold too deserves some allocation not just from a diversification perspective, but also from a currency risk mitigation point of view.

But let’s first look at a few key characteristics of gold as an asset class.

Gold and inflation don’t sync

We ran the numbers to check if the value of gold bears any correlation with consumer price inflation in the long run. It doesn’t. Gold spot returns in USD when compared to Consumer Price Inflation (CPI) data in the U.S. show low correlation with a reading of 0.4, while gold spot prices in INR display an even lower correlation with our CPI data at 0.1. So, to suggest that gold prices go up when inflation goes up and vice versa may not be correct.

GOLD A HEDGE AGAINST INFLATION

Gold, however, has helped protect investors against inflation. While inflation in the U.S. over a 46-year period grew at a compounded 3.4%, gold appreciated by 5.6% leading to a 225 basis points real return. Even in India, gold spot in rupee terms has generated a healthy return of over 10% over 45-year and 27-year periods, while inflation has grown at a tad over 6% over the past 27 years. That’s a near 400 basis points real return.

So, investing in gold has historically helped combat inflation.

Gold vs Equities

Interestingly enough, gold and equities are positively correlated. Running the numbers on gold and the S&P500 (since 1984) and gold and the BSE-Sensex (since 1997) reveals a very high level of correlation between the two of about 0.9. So, the likelihood of gold gaining ground at a time of a bull run in equities is quite high.

This could be due to liquidity effects—a rise in liquidity is likely to lead to a rise in investment asset values. In terms of returns, the S&P500 has delivered a CAGR of 8.7% over 40 years, higher than the 4.9% return for gold. The BSE-Sensex too has delivered a return of 12% over 27 years, compared to about 10% for gold. The narrower spread in INR is due to the dollar effect, with the rupee seeing an erosion in value. Hence, the returns for gold in INR are higher than in $ terms.

Also, when comparing returns with equities, we must note that these aren’t necessarily similar across all periods. For instance, gold is up 103% since 2019 while the BSE-Sensex has gained only about 82%.

So, there are times when equities will outperform gold and times when the reverse will happen. Having some of your eggs in both baskets can thus help you ensure healthy returns across periods, and beat inflation.

Happy investing!

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

BJP manifesto promises to double the size of Mudra loans to ₹20 lakh for each person

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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In a poll pitch for MSMEs, the BJP manifesto released earlier on Friday promised to double the size of Mudra loans to ₹20 lakh for each individual. Promising easy access to working capital using Digital India Infrastructure, simplification of compliances and laws, and the GST portal include the promises made for MSMEs and small entrepreneurs.

The manifesto has also promised affordable insurance products for small traders to protect against losses from disasters and accidents like fire and theft, along with the expansion of Dak Ghar Niryat Kendras to provide easy export facilities.

The Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 8, 2015, to provide loans up to ₹10 lakhs to the non-corporate, non-farm small/micro enterprises.

Classified as MUDRA loans under PMMY, these loans are given by Commercial Banks, RRBs, Small Finance Banks, MFIs and NBFCs. Under the aegis of PMMY, MUDRA has created three products, namely ‘Shishu’, ‘Kishore’ and ‘Tarun’ to signify the stage of growth/development and funding needs of the beneficiary micro unit/entrepreneur.

Starting from 3,48,80,294 loans sanctioned with an amount of ₹1,37,449.27 crores in FY 2015-16, 6,53,65,427 loans were sanctioned in FY 2023-24 with a total amount of ₹528412.93 crores.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

BJP manifesto promises extending Ayushman Bharat scheme to transgender community, senior citizens

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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In an expansion of its health coverage initiative, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has pledged to extend the Ayushman Bharat scheme to include all senior citizens over 70 years of age and the transgender community, as part of its manifesto for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

During the launch of the manifesto, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the party’s commitment to broadening the scope of the flagship health program. “The BJP is determined to encompass every senior citizen above 70 years of age under the Ayushman Bharat scheme,” he stated.

Launched by former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the FY19 Union Budget, Ayushman Bharat provides a health insurance cover of up to Rs 5 lakh and currently benefits approximately 80 crore people across the nation. This move marks a strategic expansion of the program to cover additional vulnerable groups in the country.

In its latest manifesto, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has outlined a series of ambitious health-related commitments, including expanding existing health programs and launching new initiatives to enhance the well-being of Indian citizens.

A key promise from the BJP is the expansion of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, aimed specifically at ensuring that senior citizens receive access to free and high-quality healthcare. This expansion plan also includes significant support for the transgender community, with a proposal to extend the coverage of Ayushman Bharat to include all eligible transgender individuals. Additionally, the party intends to improve the network of Garima Grahas, facilities dedicated to the needs of transgender people, and issue identity cards to ensure their recognition nationwide.

Reflecting on the past decade, the BJP in its manifesto highlighted several achievements in healthcare improvements. These include the development and dissemination of vaccines to combat the pandemic, the promotion of traditional medicine through the establishment of the Ministry of AYUSH, and the creation of new medical colleges to boost the number of qualified doctors. The party also noted the pivotal role of technology in enhancing healthcare delivery across the country.

Further strengthening of healthcare infrastructure is also on the agenda, with plans to upgrade both primary and secondary healthcare facilities under the PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM). The BJP aims to broaden PM-ABHIM to provide a more robust healthcare system throughout India.

Additionally, the manifesto promises to enhance the Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and to upgrade district hospitals and other secondary healthcare centres. This includes expanding the full functionality of all packages for comprehensive healthcare, and ensuring that medical facilities are equipped to provide a wide range of services and treatments.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Tamil New Year Puthandu 2023: Date, history, and wishes to share

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Puthandu, also known as Puthuvarudam, signifies the commencement of the Tamil New Year, marking the advent of spring and honoured as a harvest festival.

Celebrated predominantly by the Tamil populace in Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, and globally dispersed Tamil communities, Puthandu aligns with the inaugural day of the Chithirai month as per the Tamil calendar. This year, the festivity falls on April 14, as it customarily does every year.

Historical Origins:

Tracing its roots to the era of the Chola dynasty, which governed Tamil Nadu and adjoining regions of South India from the 9th to the 13th centuries, Puthandu’s inception coincides with the emergence of the Tamil calendar, attributed to the Chola reign.

Significance:

Puthandu garners recognition as a public holiday in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka, with certain other states also commemorating the new year on this date.

Though not strictly a religious observance, folklore intertwines Puthandu with the notion of Lord Brahma’s creation of the universe and Lord Indra’s descent to Earth to usher in peace and tranquillity.

Symbolising a new dawn, Puthandu symbolizes hope and rejuvenation, inspiring people to embrace fresh beginnings and embark on auspicious ventures.

Traditions and Festivities:

Preceding Puthandu, households bedeck their surroundings with kolam, intricate patterns crafted from dyed rice flour, symbolizing the invitation of joy and prosperity. On the auspicious day itself, families prepare a ceremonial platter adorned with flowers, mirrors, jewellery, currency, betel leaves, mangoes, and other auspicious items.

A vegetarian feast is meticulously prepared, with younger members seeking the blessings of their elders, fostering familial harmony and reverence. Before or on Puthandu, homes undergo a thorough cleaning, often accompanied by a traditional herbal or turmeric bath for ritualistic purification.

Dressed in new attire, individuals exchange greetings with “Puthandu Vazthukal,” wishing each other a prosperous new year. Devotional hymns resonate throughout the day, accentuating the spiritual fervour of the occasion, as communities come together to celebrate the advent of another year with renewed zeal and optimism.

Here are some wishes to share with family and friends on Puthandu:

• May this Puthandu bring you abundant joy, prosperity, and success in all your endeavours throughout the year ahead!
• Wishing you and your loved ones a Tamil New Year filled with laughter, love, and cherished moments that create unforgettable memories. Puthandu Vazthukal! 
• May the divine blessings of Lord Brahma and the celestial guidance of Lord Indra illuminate your path with peace, harmony, and serenity this Puthandu.
• As we embark on this new journey, may your life be adorned with the colours of happiness, the fragrance of prosperity, and the melody of success.
• Let the spirit of Puthandu inspire you to embrace new beginnings, overcome challenges, and pursue your dreams with unwavering determination and optimism.
• May the traditions of Puthandu strengthen the bonds of family, deepen the ties of friendship, and foster a sense of unity and togetherness among us all.
• Wishing you a Puthandu filled with bountiful blessings, abundant harvests, and the fulfilment of all your heartfelt aspirations.
• May the dawn of this Tamil New Year bring renewed hope, rejuvenated spirits, and boundless opportunities for growth and prosperity in your life. Puthandu Vazthukal! 

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Lok Sabha election Phase 1: 102 seats to go to polls, BJP contested 56 of them in 2019 at 70% success rate

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Indian Meteorological Department has issued a grim forecast for the upcoming summer, anticipating scorching temperatures across the country. This prediction is attributed to the El Niño phenomenon, known for its role in driving warmer weather patterns globally. However, amidst this meteorological concern, another heatwave is sweeping the nation – the fervour of election season.

As political parties gear up for the impending electoral battle, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation and energy.

Welcome to the Great Election Theatre

India, home to the world’s largest electoral process, is set to witness 544 constituencies exercising their democratic right across seven phases.

The climax of this 44-day electoral marathon across April, May, and June is slated for June 4.

Phase 1

Phase one, which begins on April 19, is the largest where 102 constituencies across 17 states & 4 UTs go to polls.

2 out of the 102 up for polling next Friday are newly created constituencies – Kaziranga & Sonitpur.

How parties are stacking up? 

• The incumbent BJP is contesting 77 out of these 102 seats.
• The principal challenger Congress has candidates in 56 constituencies.

But, the BJP is not the one contesting the highest number of seats in Phase

The Elephant, ahead of the Lotus & the Hand

Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party is contesting 86 seats, including all 39 seats in Tamil Nadu. One of the six national parties in India, the BSP had contested 383 Lok Sabha seats in 2019 and won 10. It’s pan-India vote share stood at 3.66%.

#2 ally candidates on ADMK symbol

The DMK is contesting 22 seats in Tamil Nadu, compared to 20 in 2019. The Stalin-led party has left the remaining seats for other alliance partners, including the Congress & Left. It had swept the polls last time, winning all contested seats. 3 ally candidates who had contested on the DMK symbol, had won as well.

The AIADMK, post its break-up with the BJP is contesting 32 out of the 39 seats in Tamil Nadu. 2 candidates belonging to smaller allies is contesting on the ‘Two Leaves’ symbol. The Edappadi Palanisamy-led party is contesting Andaman & Puducherry as well.

BJP & Congress: 2019 vs Now

In 2019, the BJP had contested only 56 of the seats that go to polls in Phase 1. If we exclude the new seats, the BJP had not contested 44% of the 100 seats, leaving them for their allies.

The Congress had contested 63 seats.

 *Sonitpur & Kaziranga LS seats didn’t exist in 2019

The Grand Old Party won only three out of every 10 seats it contested. The BJP won 7 out of every 10. Leave out Tamil Nadu out of the equation, where the Congress won 9 out of the 10 seats it contested (courtesy of an alliance with DMK), and their success rate is even more dismal. A mere 11%.

As per the analysis of the 100 Lok Sabha seats in Phase 1, BJP’s average vote share when it came to the 39 winning seats stood at 56%. The Congress’ average vote share in the 15 seats it won stands at 51%.

*Includes seats where DMK lent its party symbol as well

Phase 1: 8 UP seats in the fray

The Samajwadi Party is contesting seven out of the eight UP Lok Sabha constituencies from Western UP that go to polls on April 19. Alliance partner Congress is contesting the Saharanpur seat.

In 2019, Akhilesh Yadav’s party was in an alliance with the BSP & Jayant Chaudhary’s RLD. It had contested four of these eight seats and won two. The Bahujan Samaj Party had contested three and won all. RLD came runners-up in the sole seat it contested.

The BJP-Congress Match-Up 

 In 2019, it was a race to the podium for the BJP & Congress on 37 seats out of the 102 Lok Sabha seats that vote in Phase 1.

The Congress also contested against the BJP in 6 of the 8 Uttar Pradesh seats that go to polls in Phase 1. However, it ended up with a vote share of 7% and less.

3 West Bengal seats go to polls in Phase 1. The BJP had won all 3, while the Trinamool Congress finished as runners-up. The Congress came 4^th in all 3 seats, polling less than 2% votes.

Fast forward to 2024, the BJP & Congress candidates would be facing each other and candidates from other parties in 48 seats.

Parting shot

• Udhampur (J&K) is the northernmost seat in this phase. Kanniyakumari (Tamil Nadu) is the southernmost. The distance between the two is close to 4,000 km.
• Former Tamil Nadu CM and expelled ADMK leader O Paneerselvam is contesting as an Independent from Theni. As per the candidate list, there are 5 other candidates with the name O Paneerselvam, with spelling variations.
• Karur Lok Sabha seat has the highest number of candidates (54) in Phase 1. 46 of them are Independents.
• Dibrugarh, where Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal is contesting has the lowest number of candidates (3).
• Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi is not just the name of an opposition alliance, but that of a registered unrecognised political party as well.
• In Tamil Nadu, RUPPs like the Anti-Corruption Dynamite Party & Viron Ke Vir Indian Party are in the electoral fray as well.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow